Apparatus for straightening automobile frames and the like

ABSTRACT

A support for a pulling device for use in repairing automobile frames and the like. A pair of horizontally disposed elongated legs are pivotally connected together for swinging about a vertical axis and support a vertically extending post on which the pulling device is mounted. The arrangement of the legs provides a stable base permitting the pulling to be directed at various angles horizontally and vertically.

United States Patent 1191 Whitney Nov. 25, 1975 1 APPARATUS FORSTRAIGHTENING AUTOMOBILE FRAMES AND THE LIKE [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

[44] Published Walter D. Whitney, San Carlos,

Calif.

Whitney Manufacturing Co., San

Carlos, Calif.

Dec. 26, 1973 under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28,1975 as document no.

3,398,565 8/1968 Whitney 72/705 X 3,492,855 2/1970 Wylie...... 72/705 X3,501,938 3/1970 Sprague, 72/705 X 3,518,867 7/1970 Rouis 72/705 X3,691,817 9/1972 Friend et al. 72/705 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS713,232 9/1966 Italy 72/705 Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham AssistantExaminer-D. M. Gurley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gordon Wood [5 7]ABSTRACT A support for a pulling device for use in repairing automobileframes and the like. -A pair of horizontally disposed elongated legs arepivotally connected together for swinging about a vertical axis andsupport a 72/461 vertically extending post on which the pulling deviceis mounted. The arrangement of the legs provides a sta- [56] ReferencesCited ble base permitting the pulling to be directed at vari- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS ous angles horizontally and vertically.

2,371,659 3/1945 Stultz 72/705 X 9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 3,108,62910/1963 Jenkinsm. 72/705 X 3,276,237 10/1966 Transue 72/295 3,340,7209/1967 Chartier 72/705 X 2 S .l I. .1 L Q55 Z5 4 Z M F i 7 US. PatentNov. 25, 1975 SheetlofZ 3,921,433

iffy- APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING AUTOMOBILE FRAMES AND THE LIKE Thisinvention relates to apparatus for repairing automobile frames and thelike and is in some respects similar to the apparatus shown in U.S. Pat.No. 3,398,565 dated Aug. 27, 1968. The present device is considered tobe an improvement over the patented apparatus.

Heretofore various types of apparatus have been devised to permitexerting relatively large forces on the body or frame of an automobileduring the repair of such automobile. Many of such prior art devicesrequire numerous changes in the setup of the apparatus when it isrequired to change the directional pull of the pulling device. Suchchanges in the setup are time consuming thereby adding to the expense ofthe operation.

The main object of the present invention is to improve the versatilityof the repair apparatus and at the same time make the apparatus portableso as to be more readily adaptable to use under different situations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a support forthe'pulling device which is light weight and at the same time extremelyrigid.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a support forthe pulling device which is more versatile than prior art devices oflike nature in that once the apparatus is set up in a stable manner, thedirection of pull may be widely changed both in a horizontal directionand in a vertical direction.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingspecification and from the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken in a plane indicated bylines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the pulling device.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pulling device.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of an automobile frame showing oneapplication of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing another application of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the abutment means.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the connection between the cross bar andone leg of the support apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a combination abutment and clamp forsecuring a cross bar to the pinch weld of an automobile body.

In detail and first with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inventioncomprises a base assembly which includes a pair of elongated legsgenerally designated 1, 2 respectively, each of which is preferablyformed from tubular material having a rectangular cross section. As bestseen in FIG. 2, leg 1 is provided adjacent one of its ends with a pairof hinge elements 3, 4 which are preferably welded to the sidewalls ofleg 1. Leg 2 is provided at one of its ends with a complementarilyformed hinge element adapted to cooperate with hinge element 3 so thatthe legs 1, 2 may be pivotally connected together by a hinge pin 5. InFIG. 2 leg 2 is shown swingably connected to leg 1 on one side of thelatter so that it may be folded to an inner position represented by thedotdash line and alongside the leg 1 when it is desired to store theapparatus. By the above described structure, it will be apparent thatleg 2 may be removed from the hinge element 3 and transferred to theopposite side of 2 leg 1 to the position shown in. dotted lines in FIG.2. Leg 1 is preferably provided with an extension 8 which istelescopically received within leg 1 and a similar extension 9 istelescopically received within leg 2. Depending upon the effectivelength desired, these extensions may be fixedly secured relative to themain leg by providing through holes 10, 11 in the leg and extensionrespectively (see FIG. 1). A pin 12 may be passed through registeringholes so as to fix the extension in any desired position. Each leg 1, 2is preferably provided with ground wheels 7.

Extending upwardly from leg 1 and fixedly secured as by welding thereto,is a post 15 of circular cross section. Brackets 16, 17 may be welded topost 15 and leg 1 to provide additional stability for the post. The post15 serves to support a pulling device generally desig nated 18 which isvery similar to the pulling device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,565dated Aug. 27, 1968 and to which patent reference is made for detailsnot disclosed herein. By the present invention the pulling device 18 isconnected to a sleeve 19 slidably supported on the post 15. Anothersleeve is provided under the sleeve 19 so that the pulling device 18 may,be positioned in any desired location along the vertical extent of thepost 15. Said sleeve 120 is provided with a locking screw 121 to permitthe sleeve 120 to be secured to post 15 in any desired position therebypositioning the pulling device 18 at any point along the length of thepost 15. It will be noted that the pulling device 18 disclosed herein,unlike that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,565, may be swung in ahorizontal plane to obtain whatever angularity is desired with referenceto the post 15.

One application of the invention is given by way of example in FIG. 5wherein longitudinally extending frame members 20, 21 of an automobileare shown. If it is desired to exert a pulling effort on a distortedportion 22 of the frame 21 for example, the pulling device 18 may beconnected by means of a chain 23 with a hook 24 engaging the portion 22of the frame 21. By spreading the legs 1, 2 apart to the generalposition shown in FIG. 5 the frame member 20 may be engaged by brackets25. One of these brackets 25 is shown in FIG. 7 and comprises a baseplate 26 supported on leg 1 or leg 2. Extending downwardly from theouter side edges of base plate 26 are a pair of side plates 27 which fitalong the vertical side walls of the leg I. Said side plates 27 areprovided with rectangular openings 28 which extend below the bottom sideof leg 1 so that a wedge 29 may be driven through the apertures 28 andinto tight engagement with the bottom side of leg 1, thereby firmlysecuring the bracket 25 relative to the leg 1 or leg 2.

Swingably secured to base plate 26 by a pivot 31 is the horizontal legof an angle 32 and which horizontal leg is provided with an arcuate slot33 through which projects a bolt 34 secured as by welding at its lowerend to the base plate 26. A nut 35 cooperates with bolt 34 so that theangle 32 may be set in whatever desired angular position is required toengage the frame 20 or similar structure. By tightening the bolt 35 itwill be seen from FIG. 5 that the brackets 25 may be firmly set againstthe frame 20 to offer resistance to the pulling effort exerted by thepulling device 18.

To assist in preventing the spreading apart of legs 1, 2, a chain 40 maybe provided which is connected at one end to a hook 41 carried by asliding saddle 42 which may be fixedly secured to the extension 9 forexample, of leg 2 by means of a wedge (not shown) in a similar manner tothe wedge 29 of FIG. 7. Similarly, the other end of chain 40 may beconnected to a hook 44 carried by another saddle 45 on the extension 8of leg 1.

It will be apparent from FIG. that the supporting structure for thepulling device 18 is extremely stable due to its closed triangular formand that a substantial pull may be exerted by pulling device 18 with thereaction thereof borne by the legs 1, 2 and transferred through brackets25 to the frame member 20.

Another example of the operation of the invention is shown in FIG. 6wherein the frame members 20, 21 are indicated and it is desired toexert a pulling effort on one distorted end 46 of the frame 21. In thiscase the leg 1 has mounted thereon a bracket 25 for engaging the framemember 21 as indicated in FIG. 6. The other leg 2 of the supportingstructure is positioned substantially parallel to the frame member and apulling effort is directed transversely of the automobile through chain23 and hook 24. In this case the support for the pulling device 18 maybe rigidly held in place relative to the automobile by means of crossbars generally designated 50. One of these cross bars is shown in FIG. 8and comprises a pair of elongated tubular elements 51 of rectangularcross section spaced apart to provide a space therebetween and fixedlysecured together at their ends by means of end plates 52. A typicalconnection for connecting a cross bar 50 to one of the legs 1, 2 isshown in FIG. 8 wherein a saddle member 54 is provided on leg 1, forexample, and fixedly secured to said leg by means of a wedge 55. Theupper side of saddle 54 is provided with a nut 56 which cooperates witha threaded bolt 57 which in turn is welded at its upper end to a block58. This block 58 is apertured to receive a wedge 59 therethrough so asto fixedly but releasably connect the cross bar 50 to the leg 1 or theleg'2.

As seen in FIG. 6 a cross bar 50 may be fixedly secured by the structureshown in FIG. 8 to legs 1 and 2 so as to provide a rigid structure andto prevent the legs 1, 2 from moving relative to each other. In additionthe above described structure may be connected to the automobile bodyitself by a clamp generally designated 65 and illustrated in FIG. 9.This clamp 65 comprises a base plate 66 to which is welded an upstandingflange 67 which is held rigidly relative to base plate 66 by means ofgussett plate 68. In some applications the side of flange 67 oppositethe gussett plate 68 may be used as an abutment against one of the framemembers 20, 21 of the automobile. In order to permit securement of thebracket 65 to the automobile body, a pair of elongated clamping bars 70,71 are provided. Bar 70 is welded along its lower edge to the upper edgeof flange 67 and bar 71 is secured to bar 70 by means of bolts 72 bypassing through bar 71 and threadedly engaging suitable threadedapertures in bars 70.

As is well known, the typical automobile is provided with a downwardlyprojecting pinch weld flange of sheet metal along the opposite outerlongitudinal sides of the vehicle. Such pinch welds are indicatedschematically at 75 and 76 in FIG. 6. By means of the clamp 65, theclamping jaws formed by the bars 70, 71 may be positioned on oppositesides of the pinch weld 75, 76 and tightened to the automobile body.

The flange 67 and gussett plate 68 are cut away to provide an openingfor receiving a nut 78 in which is threadedly secured a downwardlyextending bolt 79 which is welded at its lower end to a block 80. Bythis 4 structure the bracket 65 may be secured to the cross bar 50 atany degree of angularity by driving a wedge 81 through the block 80.Thus as seen in FIG. 6, a cross bar 50 may be secured to leg 2 by meansof the clamping structure shown in FIG. 8 and also secured to the bodyof the automobile by means of clamps 65 secured to the pinch welds 75,76. Also as shown in FIG. 6, the clamp 65 can secure another cross bar50 which in turn is secured to both legs 1 and 2.

The above described structure not only results in a portable support forthe pulling device 18 which may be readily positioned in any desiredlocation with respect to the automobile, but said support, including thelegs 1 and 2, may be firmly secured to the automobile body so as toprovide optimum resistance to the pulling effort of pulling device 18.

I claim: 1.. A support structure for mounting pulling apparatus for usein straightening automobile frames and the like, comprising:

a base assembly, said base assembly including a pair of ground supported horizontally disposed elongated legs,

means on said base assembly for pivotally connecting said legs togetherat one of their corresponding ends for swinging said legs toward andaway from each other about a vertical axis,

a vertically disposed post secured at its lower end to said baseassembly,

means on said post for securing thereto a pulling device adapted to beconnected to a portion of an automobile frame,

abutment means on one of said legs for engaging a portion of anautomobile frame for resisting the pull of said pulling device, and

means on the other of said legs for connecting the same to a fixedobject.

2. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said legs are eachprovided with ground wheels to facilitate moving said legs under theframe of an automobile.

3. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein one of said legs istubular and includes an extension telescopically received within saidone leg, and means for securing said extension relative to said one leg.

4. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein a tension member isprovided, means on said legs connected to opposite ends of said tensionmember for limiting movement of said legs away from each other.

5. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein a saddle is providedon one of said legs, means for fixedly securing said saddle in apredetermined position along the length of said one leg, said abutmentmeans being pivotally supported on said saddle to permit positioningsaid one leg at different angles to the portion of the frame engaged bysaid abutment.

6. A support structure according to claim 5 wherein said means forfixedly securing said saddle comprises a wedge adapted to engage a sideof said one leg.

7. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said post iscircular in cross section, a sleeve slidable on said post, said pullingdevice being mounted on said sleeve and swingable therewith horizontallyto different angular positions relative to said post.

8. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein a cross bar isprovided extending between said legs, and means for securing said crossbar to said legs.

body of an automobile.

1. A support structure for mounting pulling apparatus for use instraightening automobile frames and the like, comprising: a baseassembly, said base assembly including a pair of ground supportedhorizontally disposed elongated legs, means on said base assembly forpivotally connecting said legs together at one of their correspondingends for swinging said legs toward and away from each other about avertical axis, a vertically disposed post secured at its lower end tosaid base assembly, means on said post for securing thereto a pullingdevice adapted to be connected to a portion of an automobile frame,abutment means on one of said legs for engaging a portion of anautomobile frame for resisting the pull of said pulling device, andmeans on the other of said legs for connecting the same to a fixedobject.
 2. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said legsare each provided with ground wheels to facilitate moving said legsunder the frame of an automobile.
 3. A support structure according toclaim 1 wherein one of said legs is tubular and includes an extensiontelescopically received within said one leg, and means for securing saidextension relative to said one leg.
 4. A support structure according toclaim 1 wherein a tension member is provided, means on said legsconnected to opposite ends of said tension member for limiting movementof said legs away from each other.
 5. A support structure according toclaim 1 wherein a saddle is provided on one of said legs, means forfixedly securing said saddle in a predetermined position along thelength of said one leg, said abutment means being pivotally supported onsaid saddle to permit positioning said one leg at different angles tothe portion of the frame engaged by said abutment.
 6. A supportstructure according to claim 5 wherein said means for fixedly securingsaid saddle comprises a wedge adapted to engage a side of said one leg.7. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said post iscircular in cross section, a sleeve slidable on said post, said pullingdevice being mounted on said sleeve and swingable therewith horizontallyto different angular positions relative to said post.
 8. A supportstructure according to claim 1 wherein a cross bar is provided extendingbetween said legs, and means for securing said cross bar to said legs.9. A support structure according to claim 8 wherein means is providedfor securing said cross bar to the body of an automobile.